Pulmonologist

Month: September 2015

Golf is a sport that is often misinterpreted by people who have never played it. While watching professional golf tournaments on television might lead one to think that the sport is only to be enjoyed by a very stringent, by-the-rules kind of populace, there are many ways in which beginners and intermediates can go out and enjoy a day on the links that has a much friendlier tone. After all, before one goes professional he or she needs to know how to enjoy the sport at a more casual level. And friendly golf rules are the way of doing so. Below is a breakdown of some of the rules less-competitive groups might implement on the field.

Best Ball
One of the most common friendly rules in golf, best ball is when all of the players do their initial drives, but the person that hits the best drive determines where every person gets to hit from next. In best ball, every player benefits from the “best ball” that was driven from the tee, allowing them for better positioning on the green or fairway.

Multiple Mulligans
In professional golf, mulligans are rarely a part of the competition, if ever at all. However, in a friendly game, they are usually not just welcomed but even encouraged. Mulligans occur when a player takes a second try at a particular hit. This action is usually performed right at the tee box, however in some friendly matches they can take place at practically any time.

There are a number of diseases that threaten the heart and lungs; however those that directly threaten both are considered to be pulmonary diseases. Because these two vital organs work together so closely, a disruption in their systems can cause a depletion of oxygen throughout the rest of the body, which can lead to a number of other issues. Below are some of the most common pulmonary diseases, paired with a short description of each:

Asthma

Asthma occurs when the airways tighten up and keep the lungs from getting all the oxygen they can with every breath. The causes of asthma are plentiful, including but not limited to: allergies, pollution, a disorder in the nervous system, genetics and more. It is usually characterized by wheezing, which is a whistling noise that happens when an asthma patient breathes.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a condition that is directly linked to asbestos exposure, which has been a hot topic of class action lawsuits over the past few decades because of the many former railroad, shipyard and construction workers that have contracted it due to their jobs. Mesothelioma is characterized by numerous growths and tumors in the lungs.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an issue caused by a number of sources that can block the airways and make it especially difficult to breathe. COPD is a common disease that affects millions of Americans every year, most of which are elderly people who have had past issues with bronchitis, which is a blocking of the bronchial tubes that would normally allow easy air flow into the body.